Unhappy as a lawyer? But unsure how to get out of the law? Here is your GPS.

How I found what I’m good at

I shot this short video for you (it’s less than 5 minutes long) describing how I found what I’m good at and my Unique Genius is in alignment with the new podcast I’m launching (click here to sign up for free) …

… and if you prefer reading, I jotted below some of the points I talk about in the video.

THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR UNIQUE GENIUS

As you may know, one of the most important parts of leaving the law behind is exploring our Unique Genius. And I put together this blog post to tell you a story of how I’ve continued to find out what I’m good at … what skills and strengths I excel at and enjoy doing.

In the past, we have gone to school and looked for jobs and planned a career based on criteria not necessarily in alignment with who each of us really are as a person. Our consideration in large part might have focused on money or security or stability or because our parents told us to or something else.

As such, that is a main reason why we are so unhappy as attorneys – we’re doing jobs that oftentimes call for skills and that we’re just not that good at.

Our Unique Genius are those skills and strengths and qualities that are unique to us. Others may have them, but they are the things that come naturally to us, that we’re confident in. And when we find a job that calls for these skills and strengths, that’s a real recipe for happiness, motivation and confidence.

THIS PODCAST IS A REAL LIFE MANIFESTATION OF MY UNIQUE GENIUS

My Unique Genius is something I continue to work on, and it has driven the new project I have launched, which is the podcast Love or Leave the Law (www.loveorleavepodcast.com), which I’ve begun with Adam Ouellette, a former attorney, fellow leave Law Behind community member and my good friend. I hope you sign up.

In the podcast, we’ll talk about what’s great about practicing the law, what sucks about practicing the law, how to create a great new practice, and also how to leave the law.

And this podcast is a real result of me working on my Unique Genius. I like and am good at talking. But as I’ve gotten to know myself better and done work on my Unique Genius, I realize that I am also good at adding value by motivating and teaching and giving people confidence.

Someone told me this. In 2009, when I spoke at an “alternative careers” event at my alma mater University of California, Hastings College of the Law, the career services head Sari Zimmerman observed that my Unique Genius was my ability to give people the courage to take the next step. I was flattered and honored by her comment, and it has driven me to create Leave Law Behind and now Love or Leave the Law.

This idea has helped me shape and refine and evolve my own Unique Genius.

And as we all explore our own Unique Genius, let’s challenge ourselves to unpack and dimensionalize and make it as real as possible. Let’s see where we can add value. Let’s see where we can help. Let’s see where we can be of service.

Sari’s telling me that I give people the courage to take the next step actually made me feel confident, and has driven most, if not all, of the work I’ve done since then.

I hope this story of how I’ve synthesized and evolved my own Unique Genius is helpful. Please check out the new podcast, we have short 5 minute episodes and longer 20 minute ones. You can listen and be inspired from anywhere!

And if you have any questions or just want to say hi, reply to this email or send me a note at casey@leavelawbehind.com. I read and reply to all my emails.

And I’m on a mission to help attorneys get to themselves better so they can leave the law to become happier, and here’s what I’m doing to help:

Sign up for the free podcast I just launched “Love or Leave the Law” with fellow Leave Law Behind reader, former attorney and published author, Adam Ouellette.

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About Casey

Casey Berman graduated University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1999 and after realizing the law was not for him, he left. He now shares his insights, tips, and ideas in order to help unhappy lawyers leave the law for alternative careers.

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Unhappy as a lawyer? But unsure how to get out of the law? Here is your GPS.

How we will work together:
Terms and Conditions for Leave Law Behind coaching and mentoring

Welcome to Leave Law Behind. I am very excited about the opportunity to work together.

The goal of these Terms and Conditions is to have a clear understanding of the policies and procedures of our coaching and mentoring process. This gives a framework for how we will work together. Please take the time to fully review the contents of these Terms and Conditions, and I look forward to your thought and comments.

I promise as your coach to be your number one fan, and to use my skill set to make coaching sessions a valuable tool for your development. In return, I hope you as the client make the commitment to take an active part in the process.

Some thoughts for us as we move forward, let’s dive in:

All information between client and coach is entirely confidential to the extent the law allows. Our professional relationship is completely confidential and will never be disclosed without your expressed authorization. (It is impossible, of course, to protect the confidentiality of information that is transmitted electronically through emails and computers connected to the Internet that do not utilize security or encryption protection.)

Life coaching is NOT counseling, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis or a provider of any mental health services ever. A life coach does not focus on emotional/mental health issues.

As such, Client understands that life coaching is not to be used in lieu of professional advice. Client will seek professional guidance for legal, medical, financial, business, mental health, or other matters with the appropriate/credentialed provider. All decisions in these areas are exclusively the responsibility of the client.

Client accepts full/sole responsibility and accountability for the actions you take or don’t take, results achieved and any consequences that follow. You agree that the coach is not and will not be liable for any actions or inaction, or for any direct or indirect result of any services provided by the coach.

I the coach, Casey Berman, do not make any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) as to results that may be achieved or as to the consequences of any actions taken or not taken by client.

The client or coach can choose to discontinue the coaching relationship at any time. You are expected to evaluate progress, and when coaching is not working as you desire, you should immediately inform me. We will have checkpoints to make sure the sessions are meeting your needs.

Life coaching is a relationship designed to facilitate the creation and development of personal/professional goals, and to develop a plan for achieving those goals. In coaching, both the coach and client collaborate to set the agenda. Since the client is the expert in your own life to bring about desired change, success is based upon the client’s willingness to make a commitment to take an active part in the process. Client understands the coach is not hired to tell you what to do, but rather is a partner in brainstorming ideas and possibilities. As such, you are entering into coaching with the understanding that the effort and energy that you put into coaching will largely determine the outcomes you experience.

The relationship between coach and client is designed to be more direct and challenging. You can be assured that I will be honest and straightforward, asking powerful questions to bring about possibilities and awareness.